Science Centre Singapore Launches Inaugural RoboFest 2026 Featuring Social Robot Pilot and Student Competitions

Science Centre Singapore launches RoboFest 2026, featuring a four-day robotics festival with social robot trials, student competitions, and AI workshops.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 9, 2026, 5:13 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Straits Times

Inauguration of a Multi-Sensory Robotics Experience

Science Centre Singapore has officially launched its first-ever festival dedicated to robotics and artificial intelligence, drawing hundreds of families to its opening day on April 9. The event, branded as RoboFest 2026: Meet Tomorrow, Today, aims to move beyond theoretical learning by allowing visitors to engage directly with autonomous machines. According to event organizers, the ticketed festival provides a rare opportunity for children and students to experience complex technologies in a tangible environment, featuring everything from dancing social robots to mechanical boxing matches.

Debut of the Social Robotic Ambassador Fleet

A core highlight of the festival was the unveiling of six specialized social robots, which are currently being trialed in the center's hallways. These snowman-like machines, equipped with spherical heads and interactive screens, are designed to assist visitors by providing directions, telling jokes, and sharing exhibit information. Ms. Tham Mun See, chief executive of the Science Centre Board, noted that this pilot program serves as a critical testbed for integrating intelligent technologies into the center's future permanent galleries, with the current deployment expected to run through November of this year.

Educational Imperatives in the Era of Digital Development

The festival also carries a significant educational weight, underscored by the presence of Minister of State for Education and Digital Development Jasmin Lau. During the opening ceremony, Lau emphasized that real-life experiences with robotics are often more effective than textbook learning for understanding complex subjects like AI. By bringing these technologies into a public space, the government aims to demystify advanced computing for the younger generation, turning what are often perceived as abstract concepts into accessible tools for future creators and innovators.